Couple in court on theft and drug-related charges

A couple appeared together at Lerwick Sheriff Court today on various theft and drug-related charges.

Iain Tulloch, 40, of Hoofields, Lerwick, pleaded guilty to the attempted theft of jeans from Aspects shop in the Toll Clock Shopping Centre on 24th March. The court heard Tulloch replaced the jeans he had taken after being spotted by a sales assistant, but Sheriff Graeme Napier warned him it was still theft.

He also pleaded guilty to obstructing police in an attempted drugs search on 2nd August. Police stopped him when they saw him riding a bike without lights in Ladies Drive, and asked him to open his clenched fist. He refused and ran away.

Tulloch told the court he was now going to drugs agency CADSS for his heroin problem and was expecting to go on a six-week substitute prescription. The sheriff deferred sentence for six weeks, telling Tulloch to bring a report from CADSS to his next court appearance.

His co-accused Violet Robertson, 38, of Breiwick Road, Lerwick, appeared for sentencing. She had previously admitted taking jeans and a top from Aspects on 24th March, and was on a deferred sentence to be of good behaviour after stealing foodstuffs from Bolts Mini Market and the Co-op on 20th May and 22th July respectively.

The sheriff placed her on nine months probation, which he hoped would help her with her heroin and financial management problems.